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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time.






2. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






3. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






4. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






5. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






6. A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music - art - and literature.






7. A composition written for eight instruments.






8. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






9. The first violin in an orchestra.






10. A quick 20th century dance written in double time.






11. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






12. A short or brief sonata.






13. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






14. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






15. Indicating speed.






16. Pertaining to the fugue - the overlapping of the same theme or motif by two or more voices a few beats apart.






17. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






18. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






19. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






20. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






21. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






22. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






23. The interval between two notes. Three whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






24. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






25. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






26. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






27. A short light musical drama.






28. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






29. Music that is easy to listen to and understand.






30. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






31. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






32. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






33. A composition written for nine instruments.






34. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






35. Lowest female singing voice.






36. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






37. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






38. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






39. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






40. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






41. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






42. Group of singers in a chorus.






43. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






44. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






45. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






46. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






47. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






48. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






49. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






50. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.







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